Poised Peterson seizes unlikely moment

Hat-trick hero overcomes surprise to win match for White Ferns and set up a decider in Adelaide

Laura Jolly, at Kardinia Park, Geelong
19 February 2017

When New Zealand's Anna Peterson was asked to bowl the final over of the second T20 international against Australia on Sunday, her first thought was something she couldn't repeat out loud in polite company.

The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars needed 11 runs to win and Peterson had yet to bowl an over in the match.

Or the series.

In fact, the last time the off-spinner bowled at international level was on March 4 last year.

And on that occasion – also against Australia – her two overs went for 19 runs.

Few could have predicted what happened next on Sunday, as Peterson took three wickets with her first three deliveries, including the prized scalps of Jess Jonassen and Alyssa Healy, to claim a hat-trick and a series-levelling win for the tourists.

"I probably can't say it on camera," Peterson said of her first reaction when captain Suzie Bates asked her to bowl the crucial over.

"But I was actually kind of pumped for it.

"Suzie was very supportive and told me what to do and where to bowl and the fielders did the rest."

Peterson wipes out Stars with hat-trick

Peterson's first international hat-trick came in just her 10th T20I and given it secured a crucial win over the White Ferns' fiercest rivals, it also could not have come at a better time.

"It was a little unexpected, but it was great fun at the same time.

"I just had to bowl it, really, and the fielders caught it, so I only did half the job really.

"But it was great fun, hopefully I can do it again sometime."

Peterson also paid tribute to the efforts of New Zealand fast bowler Lea Tahuhu, whose frugal four-over opening spell of 0-11 ensured the Australian batters never really got going in their rain-interrupted pursuit of the White Ferns' 9-101.